Topsail Kiwanis presentation

Our EV Team had an opportunity to present our program and fundraising initiative to the Topsail Island Kiwanis club this morning.  We were the featured guest and a wonderful breakfast was provided.  Sean and Stephen spoke to the group with a prepared speech and then opened the floor for questions.  The Kiwanians were very impressed and had excellent questions that continued when they viewed the Ranger and MR2 outside after the meeting adjourned.  We were able to sell our raffle tickets after the presentation.  With over fifty tickets sold, the meeting was prosperous for our fundraising as well as community awareness of our EV program.

ACE Hardware display and fundraiser

Saturday was a beautiful day for informing the community about our EV program.  We had both the Ranger and the MR2 on display at Hampstead ACE Hardware where we sold raffle tickets and displayed our award winning vehicles.  Thanks for the students who took valuable time out of their schedule to help.  We have an excellent dedicated group this year.  With only 12 students, everyone has to step up and do their share...often.  Many raffle tickets were sold, especially by Todd, our salesman of the day!

Zaxby's fundraiser night

We participated in the Zaxby's school night on Wednesday by displaying the vehicles between 8-9pm.  In return, Zaxby's agreed to donate 14% of their proceeds during this time to our program.  There was a great turn out and after the total was tallied, we will get a $218 donation.  Not bad for three hours.  Good food and good times were had.  Thanks to the THS faculty, students and families that showed up to support our program.

Hampstead Chamber of Commerce day at THS

We had the opportunity Saturday to promote our program at the Hampstead Chamber of Commerce day at the THS gym.  We parked our vehicles outside for display and had a booth set up inside with a slide show and various EV parts to promote our program to guests.  Thanks to our principal, Mr Skipper, the registration fee was waived, so we were able to sell raffle tickets and not have to shell out any of our own money.  There were about 60 participants at the event and we spoke to many interested patrons.  Thanks to Fouty, Sal, Sean and Tony for helping during the event.

New back glass graphics!!

Finally, we can drive around with the distinction of having an official Electric Vehicle!  Well, actually, Empire Signs and Designs has made our vehicles official by donating perforated graphics for our back glass on each vehicle stating "Topsail High School Electric Vehicle".  This is a huge step in the promotion of our program by allowing us to be recognized as an EV when we are out in public or on the street.  Our next step will be to put sponsor stickers on the Ranger.  Thanks to Joe at Empire Graphics for his design and installation.

Raffle ticket sales at Ace Hardware

We had the Ranger and MR2 on display at Ace Hardware in Hampstead Saturday to promote our program and sell raffle tickets.  We had the usual responses like, "I don't believe in that", "it's gas for me", "Why don't you put a generator in that thing?", "why don't you use solar panels to charge it?", "what is the gas mileage?", and my all time favorite...."BAAAAAHHH", which I think is a sign of disapproval!  Aside from that, we had a successful day and made some good contacts and possible sponsors.  Several people had no idea we had this program at the high school, even though it has been in existence for 11 years now.  I guess we need to do a better job advertising.  We have sold about 250 raffle tickets and have 2 months to sell the rest so we can purchase our Lithium battery pack.

Presentation to Topsail Elementary second graders

We took all three vehicles to visit Mrs. Johnson's second grade class this morning.  The student of the week, Allison Garrett, invited her dad to speak to the group.  Well, since her Dad is our instructor, we got to present the EV's to the students.  Allison was very excited since she had helped work on the MR2 conversion.  The students asked very well thought out questions and all of the EV students were happy to answer them.  It was a pleasure to show the youth of tomorrow a technology that will surely be a part of their transportation when they are older.